OBJECTIVETo compare the effects of flipping moxibustion ofmedicine combined with western medication and simple western medication for rheumatoid arthritis with cold dampnesssyndrome.

METHODSEighty patients were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each group. Oral methotrexate (1 time a week) and sulfasalazine (twice a day except the day for methotrexate) were used in the two groups. Patients in the observation group were treated with flipping moxibustion ofmedicine, twice a week. The main acupoints were Shenshu (BL 23), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Yinlingquan (SP 9), and the matching acupoints were in the meridians related to the disease location. All the treatment was given for continuous 4 weeks. The TCM symptom score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, blood sedimentation (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were observed before and after treatment. The effect was evaluated.

RESULTSThe total effect rate in the observation group was 95.0% (38/40), which was better than 77.5% (31/40) in the control group (<0.05). After treatment, the VAS score, TCM symptom score, RF, ESR, CRP levels decreased in the two groups (all<0.05), with better effects in the observation group (all<0.05). The adverse reactions in the observation group were lower than those in the control group.

CONCLUSIONFlipping moxibustion ofmedicine combined with western medication for rheumatoid arthritis with cold dampnesssyndrome are better than simple western medication, which are safer and more effective.